In 2013, 17-year old forward Caleb Calvert fulfilled one of his dreams as he signed his first professional contract with Chivas USA, joining the First Team after a stellar campaign with the Red-and-White Academy.

With the First Team heading into the Major League Soccer offseason in mid-November, Calvert re-joined the Chivas USA’s U18 Team in December to continue getting ready and fit ahead of the 2014 preseason. In his first match with the team, the young Goat gave the team its third win of the season, scoring the winning goal of the match against the San Diego Surf.

The team then went on to participate in the annual Winter Showcase in Florida where Calvert would have an impeccable campaign, helping the team with three goals in their three-game tournament winning streak.

“I’m doing fantastic, right now. I’m more than ready to go. I have full health right now and I’m excited to play,” said Calvert.

With the return to the fields of Chivas USA’s First Team next week, the Red-and-White will kick off their preseason camp without Calvert and midfielder Marco Delgado, who will be participating in the Eighteenth Edition of the Copa Chivas International Scotiabank in Guadalajara, Mexico. Playing for the U-18’s of Chivas USA, the young players will stay fit while participating in this tournament from Tuesday, Jan. 28 to Tuesday, Feb. 4.

“Everyone is very excited about this tournament, and everyone is playing at their highest level. We’re all very excited and I think we’re going to play very well,” the Phelan, Calif., native said.

Calvert and the Chivas USA’s U18 Team are set to kick off action for Group B on Tuesday, Jan. 28 facing Colombia’s National Team, followed by games against Club Tijuana, Monarcas Morelia, and Liverpool FC. The Goats will close against the Universidad Catolica de Chile. Should the young Red-and-White team advance, they will match-up against one of Group A’s teams, which include sister club Chivas Guadalajara, Atlas, Yokohama, Monterrey, FC Dallas, and E.C. Vitoria.

Although all games are attractive, the 17-year old Red-and-White forward is looking forward to one game in specific.

“I’m very excited for the game against Liverpool,” Calvert said with a smile on his face. “It’s one heck of a chance to play a game against; that’s going to be a quality game and I can’t wait for it.

“If we play our game, and stick as a team and start switching on our mentality, I think we’re going to do just fine. We’re going to be able to compete with everyone and it’s going to be fair contest with everyone in the group,” Calvert added.

After a busy offseason with the U18s for both Calvert and Delgado, upon their return to Los Angeles from Mexico, their focus will have to immediately switch to the First Team as they are scheduled to return to training upon their arrival.

“It’s a little different coming back to the 18s after training with the First Team, but after a little bit, it didn’t take any time to get settled in and now, minor adjustments here and there, but I’m still getting back into my rhythm. I’m going to be ready for the First Team once I come back from Copa Chivas,” Calvert finalized.

All Copa Chivas game action and Youth Development Academy news can be followed through Chivas USA’s Twitter feed: @ChivasUSAYouth & @cdchivasusa.